Best Of The Border (12/9 - 12/13)

By Tracy Greer
December 14, 2013

95
State of California Department of Justice
95 pounds of black tar heroin seized in California

High Demand, Strong Supply Drive New Mexico's Heroin Problems

New Mexico has a drug problem. The state routinely holds close to the top position nationally for overdose deaths. No one has a clear reason why — some say poverty or unemployment, or easy access to drugs along distribution routes north.

“There’s more consumers, unfortunately, that are demanding that product,” said Eduardo Chavez with the Drug Enforcement Administration in Albuquerque. He says over the years, the demand for heroin has changed the industry from a niche business to a multinational industry.


Military Reviewing Ban On Applicants With Undocumented Dependents

The Pentagon is reviewing policies that prevent United States citizens from enlisting in various Armed Services if they have dependents who are in the country illegally.

After Fronteras Desk reported last month that some branches of the military were barring otherwise eligible applicants who have unauthorized immigrant spouses and children, more than 30 members of Congress wrote to military leaders asking for clarification about enlistment policies.


Maria
Nicholas McVicker / KPBS
Maria Mora says she thinks there's less discrimination against Latinos in San Diego than when she moved here two decades ago.

Survey: Majority Of San Diego Latinos Feel Some Discrimination

San Diego celebrates its Hispanic roots through food, music and tourist attractions like Old Town, the city’s original settlement when this was still Mexico. But a recent survey commissioned by KPBS and San Diego Magazine finds that the people who gave us this cultural legacy face discrimination today.

“Immigrant,” “Mexican” and “illegal” were among the top 10 answers Latinos gave to the question of how they felt Latinos were perceived by the larger San Diego population. And many survey respondents said they had real experiences with these stereotypes.


Boy Abandoned Near Border Reunited With Mother

A toddler who was abandoned near the New Mexico border earlier this week was reunited with his mother.

The reunion happened Wednesday atop the international bridge near downtown El Paso. Three-year old Ruben Isdael was placed into the arms of his mother, a Mexican native from the northern state of Durango.